Cornelius Ryan WWII papers, box 007, folder 17: Malcolm Robert Weller

Neg. VA. WELLER, CWO, Malcolm R. 29th Div. lead

Box 7, #17

Staunton, VA. LL BLACK nothing

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

What is your full name? Malcolm Robert Weller

What was your unit and division? Hq 3rd Bn 116th Inf, 29th Div

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Omaha Beach a few minutes after the first wave hit

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Major, Infantry

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 37

Were you married at that time? Yes

What is your wife's name? Julia G. Weller

Did you have any children at that time? 2

What do you do now? Staff Assistant, Hq 116th Infantry VaARNG

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? We did amphibious training [inserted] for [end inserted] one year prior to and we learned several months before that we would be the assault Regiment.

What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel? Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had or how you passed the time?

I observed the men continually checking their equipment and weapons. The men were calm and cheerful. It was a great adventure for every participant

What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you made the crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in). None

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 - Your name Malcolm R. Weller

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? No - too occupied

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes I lost half of my boat team

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? No

Were you wounded? Later

Do you remember what it was like--that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing? [crossed out] I was scared after a short while I realized that I had not be hurt and soon got the feeling that they couldn't hit me. [end crossed out]

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, though it may not have seemed funny at the time?

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? No

- for Cornelius Ryan 3 - Your name Malcolm R. Weller

In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-reliance; others do incredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either from D-day? In several hours the men learned to distinguish the different types of enemy weapons and they learned how to protect themselves by taking proper cover

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? St Laurent

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Near Vierville

Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? None

PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDGMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE THEY ARE NOW;" YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

Cornelius Ryan

Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

HEADQUARTERS 116TH INFANTRY VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD THOMAS D. HOWIE MEMORIAL ARMORY STAUNTON, VIRGINIA

22 April 1958

SUBJECT: History of D-Day, 6 June 1944

TO: Miss Frances Ward Reader's Digest 230 Park Avenue New York, N.Y.

1. This is to advise that approximately ten (10) members of the 116th Infantry who participated in the assault landing on Omaha Beach, D-Day, 6 June 1944, live in and close to Staunton. Most of them could be assembled at most any time for a group interview or they are available individually.

2. The present Regimental Commander, Colonel Archibald A. Sproul, was awarded the DSC for his actions on that day as a Captain, Company Commander. There also lives in Staunton two (2) other recipients of the DSC for similar actions on the same landing.

3. The undersigned is one of the ten mentioned in paragraph 1 and being the present Staff Assistant for this Headquarters is available to make any arrangements for interviews or whatever is desired.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

MALCOLM R. WELLER CWO W-4 VARNG Asst Adj

[*illegible*]